O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire: Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting

The O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire  is a medium-sized West London venue with a lot of history and a great variety of acts regularly gracing its stage. Originally an early 20th-century music hall, Charlie Chaplin was an early act, and it was later a BBC Television Theatre. Nowadays, it’s the place to see your favourite artists in a relatively intimate setting with a capacity of only 2,000.

Getting To The Shepherd’s Bush Empire

It’s pretty easy to get to the venue on public transport, with it being only a 10-minute walk from Shepherd’s Bush Tube/Train Station on the Central Line, Overground and Southern Lines, or a 5-minute walk from Shepherd’s Bush Market or Goldhawk Road Stations, both on the Circle and Hammersmith & City Lines.

Going to the venue by car?

Shepherd’s Bush Empire does not have general public parking facilities, and local parking is limited, meaning it’s not advisable to drive there. However, there is a car park at the Westfield Shopping Centre nearby.

What time do gigs start and finish at o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire?

To make sure you get the best spot inside or don’t end up waiting around too long, you’ll want to get a hold of the stage times. The venue’s website and social pages often provide this info, as do the bands’ pages. Usually the main act is on at 21.00/21.30, but this is extremely variable. And don’t forget to support the support acts! To ensure you catch your last train, gigs tend to finish by 23.00 latest.

Queueing, security & cloakrooms at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

The main entrance for gigs is at the front of the building on Shepherd’s Bush Green, with queues extending from there. Once your ticket is checked and bag searched, you’ll enter the main lobby/foyer – from where you can go to the stalls (standing only) area, or up the stairs to the upper level, where it’s usually seated.

It’s important to remember that currently the venue only permits one small bag per person which cannot be bigger than A4 size (Height 29.7cm, Width 21cm, Depth 15cm). There is a cloakroom with a small charge (free for O2 priority customers), but space is limited and it is first come first served.

Where is the merch stand in the venue?

Merch stands are usually found in the main foyer near the entrance and at the rear of the stalls section.

Accessibility at Shepherd’s Bush Empire

The entrance is accessible, and there are bookable wheelchair spaces in a viewing area in the stalls area. There is an accessible RADAR toilet on the ground level. If you have a seat, staff can assist from the Stage Door on Rockwood Place, where a lift is available to reach the upper level.

Lucky enough to be on the guest list?

Guestlist attendees will usually pick up their passes from the main Ticket Desk on the right side of the main foyer/lobby. The backstage/stage door entrance is down the right side of the building on Rockwood Place.